Note: Image is entitled, Acolo, encaustic & collage on paper, from Romanian artist Victor Brauner. I photographed it last month at the Chicago Art Museum. This image expresses how I sometimes feel about being my gender.

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3 thoughts on “Exploring Gender – a true story”

great poem…you and Onde have certainly gotten yourselves into many discordant situations during the course of you long love …. Thats a great painting by the way. I had many reservations (different from yours ) about being a woman but once I was living in New York City during the 60’s I started to enjoy my femininity. And I do now because inwardly I am androgynous xo alicia

Exactly – we are embodied spirits! Yes, this poem-story also captures the early 1980s in which the gay-hate was whipped up to a very high frequency under the Reagan administration – it was the beginning of the AIDS epidemic (the disease was originally called GRIDS (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome) by the Reagan leadership, and we suffered many expressions of hatred by very ordinary people that would not be common now. Times have changed. And my experience of being embodied has also changed. I love the pointy breasts, the fish back, the strong hands, the baby in the womb, the grinning dog with his big balls and unsheathed penis riding on her head. I love the color and complexity of this image.

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About Ann

Ann is a poet and a teacher. Her life practice embodies a commitment to creativity, leadership and healing. For two decades, she served as one of the primary helpers, or oshkibewig, of the late Keeaydinoquay. Kee was a mashkikikwe (herbal medicine woman), an Ojibwe storyteller and ceremonial leader. Ann continues Kee’s lineage through her life and work.

She has written about women’s spirituality, cultural and environmental issues. Her most recent book of poetry, Love Enough, explores myriad expressions of intimacy and loss.

In addition to her professional work, she provides individual mentoring and guidance to those who seek it from her.

Ann currently serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean at Southwestern College in Santa Fe.